Tallahassee, FL, quartet Presence began formulating their aggressive rap-metal in early 1996, playing local gigs and accumulating an audience in the process. They released their debut in 2000 on the Orchard imprint, with their breakthrough record, When the Smoke Clears, following shortly afterwards in 2001. 2003 found the group with a major-label deal on Curb, with their third album, Rise, released in May 2003. ~ Rob Theakston